Election Commission Nominee Says Felony Charge Is In His Past

(Earle, AR) The controversy over a convicted felon serving on the Crittenden County Election Commission may be all for nothing.

Reginald Abram was nominated to the board a few weeks ago.

Tonight he is talking only to News Channel 3 and tells us why his felony conviction may not matter at all.

“I haven’t decided yet if I’m going to take the post,” said Abram.

With his pastor by his side to vouch for him, Reginald Abram says he’s a better man than he was in 2005 when as chief jail administrator for Crittenden County he was convicted of bringing drugs into the facility.

Arkansas law says a person convicted of embezzlement, bribery, forgery or any other infamous crime isn’t eligible to hold public office. Abram doesn’t believe the law applies to him.

“I didn’t run for a public office. I wasn’t in the November election. I didn’t run for no office. This is a committee,” said Abram.

According to a letter from Abram’s federal probation officer, he finished his probation in 2009.

The On Your Side Investigators found he used it to restore his voting rights last year, but there are still skeptics.

Election Committee appointee, Dixie Carter, says, “Everyone laughs at the election commissioner in Crittenden County, so this is another laugh.”

The two others appointed as commissioners don’t want him to serve.

They say he gives the board a black-eye. Abram disagrees and says his past is just that his past.

“I’m not going to let my past which is 9 years ago, dictate my future. I made my past a stepping stone not a tombstone,” said Abram.

Abram says he’s getting his own legal opinion about whether or not he can serve and will make his decision by the end of the week.